Theatre owners who dared to screen Kamal Haasan’s controversial movie had to face the police’s wrath and bear the brunt of a few sections of the society

Kamal Haasan has no respite. Despite the Madras High Court lifting the ban on Vishwaroopam‘s release yesterday, the movie was not allowed to be screened in cinemas today. Theatre owners were cautious about showing the movie, and cinemas which put up a brave front and heeded the court’s order to screen it, had to face the anger of some people who are still against the film. One such incident was reported in the Ramanathapuram district, 600 kms from Tamil Nadu capital of Chennai, where petrol bombs were hurled at some theatres, shattering the glass facade.

Another incident was reported in Erode where police intervened and asked theatre owners to stop the show just after the movie had started to play. At other places, complaints started pouring in that posters were being burnt and cops were asking owners to produce a copy of the High Court order.

Looks like Kamal’s problems are here to stay, at least for the time being, with no amicable solution in sight. No wonder then, that the filmmaker-actor threatened to leave the country and he feels he is not needed in Tamil Nadu anymore. READ MORE ABOUT IT HERE

Kamal Haasan might have won the first battle, but the war seems to be far from over for the actor-director

The Madras High Court around 10 pm on Tuesday night stayed prohibitory orders issued by the Tamil Nadu government against the release of Kamal Haasan‘s Vishwaroopam.

While passing the orders, Justice K Venkataraman observed, “Considering the totality of the circumstances, I am of the considered view that the orders made under Section 144 of CrPC is liable to be kept in abeyance for the present.”

Striking down the ban against the movie by the government, the Judge said that freedom of expression is of high importance. Advocate General A Navaneethakrishnan and Additional Advocate General PH Aravind Pandian, who appeared for the Tamil Nadu government, said that the movie’s release could create law and order problems in the State.

It was also argued on behalf of the government that the film was not certified properly by the Censor Board.